In one way, these re-defining economic times that we find ourselves in offer at least one bright spot for our future….the advancements in environmentally sound policy with regards to all areas of human activity.        People from every corner of the globe are now prepared to confront challenges that will eventually shape the way we co-exist with the planet.

The key challenges that will so vastly affect human behavior are not new. What has changed is the context. There is a profound difference in how, for example, the average American citizen thinks of global warming in real time versus the mentality that prevailed a few short years ago. The realities of a global reliance on fossil fuels are now

foremost in the minds of many more people than at any earlier time. Habitat losses in remote places such as Africa and Indonesia are now known to have for reaching effects on climate. The worlds’ supply of fresh water is beginning to emerge as a super-star in the debate over sustainable policies, even in areas not previously thought of as being particularly vulnerable. Food resources and the processing of them are now so intimately linked, much like public health conditions, that the atmosphere for advancement on a global scale is charged with energy. These are the challenges that will outpace even war in the competition for the attentions of mankind. These, our most basic needs, are the future. The hope. How we respond to the “New Challenge” will determine our place in history.

           In the Murky Light that is our global economy, meeting these challenges, or at least making an earnest effort to do so, is no longer optional for businesses that expect to thrive. There are probably as many ways to approach sustainable design as there are to achieve it. Assembling a clarified list of goals that have been prioritized is the best way to get started. The important thing is to realize that vendors who cannot provide transparent evidence of the desired qualities possessed by their goods and services, are swiftly being replaced by those who can.

           The practice of “Green-Washing” has gone the way of the “McMansion”; Our society cannot continue to support the practice. This is, in my opinion, the very foundation of sustainability; “..that which society is able to support, indefinitely, and with no ill side effects. The only thing that can precisely meet that criteria would by definition be a “Natural System”  which means without waste. Any system, natural or artificial, can achieve the title “Natural System” as long as the creation, service life and eventual disposal result in no waste.

           This term, as a title, occupies a mighty lofty position in the order of environmental rankings. It is not practical to design systems with the goal of reaching natural system status. We can, however, hold our methods up to the standard to see how our decisions impact the environment. It is normal to identify numerous ways that our actions actually impact the environment. This is how we expose areas that need attention and begin evaluating available solutions. This is where economic considerations find their center.

           Many people seeking sustainable design solutions have discovered that “it isn’t cheap being green!” . This is often due to expectations that were set too high and lacking in information. Take the topic of certification for example. Many agencies and organizations have evolved with the ambition of establishing and certifying standards for various materials categories. These organizations have a range of positive effectiveness on the industries of their particular causes. The certifications in question come with intelligently selected criteria matching and variations of cost in dollars. These costs are passed on to the consumers of these materials ultimately raising the cost of a given project. In many cases, very high costs do not translate into policy making in the specific industry and another certification may be available that gets a better industry result and comes at a lower cost. For most people, the results and performance are more important than coveted certifications that become almost trophy-like in the confusion.

           It has taken a great deal of sorting out in order to make recommendations that clients find easy to live with…..economically as well as socially responsible. When doing so, clients can expect to get the rewards from greater energy efficiency, smarter use of water, reduced waste, cleaner indoor environments and greater convenience. These benefits are almost all in bonus the good will that can be spread by practicing a higher level of environmental stewardship.